Once his term in the White House ends in January, Donald Trump and wife Melania may be looking to secure a new home base in Palm Beach, FL, according to Page Six.
Apparently the Trumps have been shopping for a megamansion in the area, and poking around at private schools for their teen son, Barron.
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Wait a minute! They already have a crash pad in Palm Beach: the private quarters within Mar-a-Lago, a club Trump purchased in 1985. Why don’t they just move in there? Well, per an agreement Trump made with the the town of Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, as a social club, does not allow anyone to live there permanently—even its owners.
So while the couple may stay at Mar-a-Lago for a bit, they’ll need to search for permanent digs elsewhere, and they’ll have plenty of family in the area.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have already ventured south to purchase a 2-acre plot on Indian Creek Island, which is known as Billionaires Bunker. Plus, Palm Beach and its environs are popular with many bold-faced names, including star QB Tom Brady and his wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, and the billionaire Carl Icahn.
But which home in Palm Beach will the Trumps pick? Here are five homes for sale we’ll bet they’ll consider since they tick all the P boxes: posh, palatial, and presidential.
Price: $110,000,000
1341 S. Ocean Blvd.
realtor.com
The swankiest spot available right now is also the most expensive, at nine figures. But it’s worth every penny to look out over the ocean and then pad down to your own pristine white-sand beach every morning with your coffee.
At more than 28,000 square feet, this massive two-story Mediterranean estate features seven bedrooms, nine full baths, and six half-baths, as well as miles of marble in multiple rooms. There’s also a guest cottage, stunning pool, exercise room, elevator, plus a security system and gatehouse for the Secret Service to set up shop.
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Watch: This Is Where Donald Trump Grew Up–and You Can Stay There, Too
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Price: $56,500,000
1330 S. Ocean Blvd.
realtor.com
If the Trumps are willing to trade the ocean for lesser waters, they can head right across the street to this listing. For half the price, the famous couple can make do with six bedrooms and seven baths spread over nearly 16,000 square feet of living space.
At just 4 years old, this contemporary abode sits on about 2 acres and comes completely furnished. There’s also a private dock, deeded beach access, and gorgeous lanai overlooking the pool.
Price: $52,900,000
520 Island Drive
realtor.com
This mansion is a bit smaller than the others, but it sports two docks on either side of the house and direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. The president and his family will enjoy six bedrooms and nine baths, take in the views from the balcony, and paddle around in the heated saltwater pool.
But the best part just might be the bonus loot that comes with the asking price. The right bidder for this property, which is called Lago-a-Lago (Lake to Lake), will also be the owner of $2,000,000 worth of furniture and art.
Price: $37,500,000
101 Seminole Ave.
realtor.com
Perhaps a classic Palm Beach home is more to the Trumps’ taste? This Mediterranean-style manse with a barrel tile roof oozes old-world charm, though it was built in 2007.
Mature palms surround the lovely pool and spa, while soaring ceilings highlight huge windows opening to lush lawns. The property sits on just over a half-acre and features six bedrooms, seven baths, a wine room, and deeded ocean access.
Price: $35,000,000
120 Jungle Road
realtor.com
Lastly, a home with real history. Built nearly 100 years ago, this gated estate with seven bedrooms and seven baths has been completely restored with every modern amenity, including a sound system, wine storage, and chef’s kitchen. Other luxe details include a huge home gym, billiard room, sun-drenched public rooms, and a palatial master suite.
Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale gives her perspective on the week’s economic indicators including the latest speculation on when the Fed …
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January 11, 2021
Realtor.com Senior Economist George Ratiu discusses the latest housing trends and statistics as we kick off 2021.
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Getting into a new home is more expensive these days than it was a year ago, which is bad news for home buyers looking for a deal.
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Sylvester Stallone has punched up a purchase in Palm Beach, FL. According to the Palm Beach Daily News, the Hollywood legend has scored a compound in the Sunshine State.
The star of “Rocky” reportedly paid $35,375,000 for the waterfront spread. The property, listed in “pending sale” status, came on the market in June for $37.85 million. Stallone seems to have snagged a minor discount.
With seven bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms, the mansion, built in 2014, offers 13,241 square feet of living space and 250 feet of sandy beach on the lake, the listing description states.
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What it describes as a “sensational estate” offers three structures, which include a main house, guesthouse, guest pavilion, and an open cabana across from the pool.
The waterfront property also offers a boat dock and is designed with “casual elegance” in mind. Modern interiors include multiple living spaces, a formal dining room, a huge eat-in kitchen, and multiple French doors that open to the lawn outside.
A spacious master suite features a sitting area, private balcony,enormous walk-in closet, and bathroom.
In addition, the layout includes a gym, wine storage, library, and a family room with a wet bar. Outside, the grounds feature a pool with a beachfront spa that practically touches the lake.
Stallone joins numerous other celebs in the area. Jon Bon Jovi,Rod Stewart, the author James Patterson, and the former wife of Tiger Woods, the model Elin Nordegren, own homes in the upscale enclave. President Donald Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago is also nearby.
The “Rambo” star has been busy on the real estate front. This spring, he placed his desert getaway in La Quinta, CA, on the market for $3.35 million.
Stallone bought the four-bedroom home, located inside the Madison Club, for $4.5 million in 2010. But it eventually became expendable. He wound up selling the golf retreat at a loss, for $3.15 million.
Stallone, 74, has been a screen star for decades. He’s known for the “Rocky” series, which more recently led to the spinoff “Creed” films.
Lawrence Moens with Lawrence A. Moens Associates holds the listing.
2021 is starting off with a big-time celebrity shake-up: Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West are getting divorced.
Indeed, according to Page Six, the A-list couple have finally called it quits after six years, four children, and who knows how many disagreements about where to spend their time, energy, and celebrity capital.
According to reports, Kardashian West is intent on continuing to work on her prison reform project, while West’s political ambitions (including a fanciful bid for the Oval Office) have kept him rather busy, too. Another source says West has become increasingly frustrated with the Kardashian family’s reality TV star lifestyle. Alas, there also seems to be the issue of West’s mental state, which can test the strongest of unions.
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But what inquiring minds really want to know is this: How will their massive real estate holdings be divided?
Jennifer Lenz, a real estate agent at Dolly Lenz Real Estate in New York City, has been privy to many high-profile splits and shares that divorce settlement details typically hinge on the prenups and other contractual obligations that were in place before the marriage.
“However, most prenup terms well exceed the final settlement in order to get a signoff on the divorce, and the properties are divvied up to avoid the appearance of a fire sale,” she says.
For example, one billionaire couple that Lenz’s firm worked with had a $10 million prenup, but the ex-wife was able to get a $60 million settlement to secure her signature—which included two homes and seed money to start her new business venture.
In the case with Kardashian West and West, however, money like this is probably no big object. Kardashian West is the richest of her famous family, and the couple’s combined wealth exceeds $3 billion, which means dividing the properties they share might take on more meaning.
But California divorces sometimes turn out to be quite equitable as all assets acquired during the marriage are to be divided 50/50. In community property states, like California, division of homes purchased while together belong to both parties and are divided equally as well, says Bruce Ailion, a real estate agent in the Atlanta metro area.
So, looking at Kardashian West and West’s biggest real estate assets, here’s how we think the properties will be divided.
The Hidden Hills, CA, home of Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West
Google Maps
First up, the couple’s mansion in the star-studded community of Hidden Hills in Los Angeles, which was purchased for $20 million in 2014. Kardashian West reportedly wants to own it outright since this is the one place their children are settled into and call home. It’s also near her mother Kris Jenner’s home and her sister Kourtney Kardashian‘s place.
“Courts want to minimize the impact of divorce on the couple’s children, so often this means the custodial spouse will retain use of the marital residence,” says Ailion.
Before (left) and after shots of a hallway in the Hidden Hills, CA, home
realtor.com/Twitter (kanyewest)
The sticking point? It seems that Kardashian West owns the land in and around the house, but the actual structure belongs to her soon-to-be ex. Complicated!
The couple also reportedly poured a ton of cash (upward of $20 million) into an extensive renovation over the years. West engaged the exclusive Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt to handle the rehab and installed a completely white, monastic-style aesthetic throughout the home. Should Kardashian West take it over, it’s possible she might rip out some of the cold marble and make it a bit homier.
“Since West oversaw the redesign and owns the home, a sensible compromise would be for him to keep it and for her to build on the surrounding land for herself and stay in the home via some type of rent-back until the project is done,” says Cedric Stewart, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties in Washington, DC.
Kimye’s ranch sits on 9,000 acres near Cody, WY.
realtor.com
Somehow we just don’t see Kardashian West feeling at home in a very remote part of Wyoming—so Monster Lake Ranch, purchased in fall 2019, seems to have West’s name written all over it.
“The Wyoming property will go to Kanye as this is where he plans to build his technology, design, and innovation epicenter,” says Stewart.
The spot, which features two houses, eight cabins, plus several barns and corrals for horses, will require a herculean effort to transform it into a livable space for a celebrity of West’s level. Not only is the Wyoming ranch pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but transporting contractors and all the materials needed to build in a barren part of the country is a giant headache.
West’s plans for this compound apparently include a 10-bedroom, 52,000 square-foot mansion and two 10,000-square-foot underground garages, which will likely run him into the $50 million range, according to real estate experts.
The upside for West: The spot is extremely quiet and private (no paparazzi for miles).
The couple purchased this ranch home in 2019.
realtor.com
This fixer-upper ranch home isn’t exactly posh, but it’s directly next door to the couple’s Hidden Hills compound, bringing their total property ownership in this area to 8 acres. They bought it in 2019 for $3 million and apparently had plans to create a guest compound here and live off the land, growing organic vegetables and fruit.
This property sports four bedrooms, a pool, and gardens, plus a horse barn and corral. Since this one is also close to some Kardashian family members, we bet it’ll slide her way.
Last up, an undeveloped 2-acre parcel with a whopping price tag of $6.3 million. The plot was quietly purchased through a trust at the end of 2019.
Located two hours from Los Angeles in La Quinta’s Madison Club (a golf and tennis community), this area is a playground for the ultrarich and famous. It’s also close to the location of the Coachella music festival where West performed in 2019, so we’re moving this property to his portfolio.
However, both Kris Jenner and Kardashian’s little sister Kylie Jenner have homes nearby, so this particular real estate holding might cause a tussle in the end.
After three years and multiple price cuts, “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Melissa Gorga and her husband, Joe, have finally sold their custom-built home for $2.5 million.
“Our family home for the last 12 years is officially sold,” Gorga posted to her Instagram account.
“We’ve made so many memories in this home. We were blessed to be able to share so many of them with all of you, @bravotv, and the #RHONJ viewers. I love that I can always watch the reruns and remember the good times we had in it. I’m excited to start new beginnings with my family.”
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The family’s residence, which the couple built “from the ground up” and which was completed in 2009, had been on and off the market for years without enticing a buyer. The six-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom mansion appeared as a backdrop in the long-running reality show.
In 2017, after almost 10 years, the couple placed their home on the market for $3.5 million. The mansion failed to find a buyer, and the listing price dropped, first to $3.3 million in 2018, and then to $2.95 million in 2019.
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Watch: Kate Gosselin Vacates Her ‘Kate Plus 8’ Pad
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At the time, we predicted that a new price point could finally coax a new owner to move into the reality star’s famed abode.
Even Gorga got into sales mode, announcing on social media in early July, “It’s back on the market, baby! … You should be so lucky to live in it.”
The sellers kept the same asking price, and that proved to be in the right neighborhood for a successful sale. The deal was sealed for $2.5 million.
Looking back at previous listing photos, it appears that the Gorgas agreed to do some staging of the home. More modern furnishings grace the updated interior photos.
The billiard-room’s wood paneling is now painted a stark black, and the color palette throughout was toned down.
The gold tones and gilt touches that Gorga once admitted were inspired by the movie “Scarface” are now a more subdued gray and white.
The refreshed interiors, coupled with the lower price point, did the trick.
The buyer gets quite a house. The 9,100-square-foot Colonial in the “exclusive Pond section” of Montville, NJ, features a “no expense spared” home with extensive millwork, a bridal staircase, and two-story great room with Juliet balcony.
The gourmet kitchen comes with a center island with seating and high-end appliances. It adjoins a casual dining space and family room. The mansion also features a formal dining room with a decorative ceiling.
Upstairs, the master suite features a fireplace and vaulted ceilings. On the lower level, a finished basement includes a gym, screening room, recording studio, and walk-in wine room. Other luxe perks include a bar and salon.
Set on over 2 acres, the “meticulously landscaped grounds” feature a pool area with stone patio and an outdoor kitchen.
The Gorgas relocated to their Jersey Shore vacation home for the pandemic. Beyond that, it’s unclear where their plans for home building or home buying will take them. We’ll have to “Watch What Happens.”
Joshua Baris with Coldwell Banker Realty-Fort Lee Office repped the sellers. The buyer was represented by Taylor C. Lucyk with Christie’s International Real Estate.
For more photos and details, check out the full listing.
A pint-sized property designed by the celebrated architect Richard Neutra has come on the market for the first time. The Santa Monica space perched in the desirable Santa Monica Canyon area is available for $1.68 million.
“It’s like a little Canyon crash pad,” says the listing agent, James Respondek with Sotheby’s International Realty-Pacific Palisades Brokerage. He’s co-listing the property with Antonia Mollica, also with Sotheby’s International Realty.
He notes that the bohemian location, small size, and early modernist design make it perfect for creative types, either as an L.A. pied-à-terre, office, or studio.
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Custom-built in 1936 for a local writer, David Malcolmson, the sweet space is known as the “Baby Grand Piano” studio, thanks to its curved shape.
Intended for use as a guesthouse, the small structure sat just above Malcolmson’s main home. In the 1940s, it was purchased from Malcolmson by the current owner’s parents, who lived next door to the property.
The owner no longer uses it and is ready to sell. Although the property has only been on the market for a few days, Respondek says he has already shown it to many potential buyers attracted to its architectural pedigree.
Its wall of windows frames the canyon and the terraced garden below. The 523 square feet of interior space allow room for a sleeping area, living and dining space. There’s also a small kitchen and bathroom, which have been modernized over the years.
Original elements have been restored, such as ceiling light fixtures, the fireplace and surround, and the centerpiece windows.
The private haven includes a deck and a garden, as well as a one-car garage, a later addition. It’s up on the hillside among the greenery, with treetop views.
“It’s got a wonderful vista into the trees and canyon below, because of that beautiful curved wall of windows,” Respondek says.
He notes that the location, close to the beach, makes it a perfect oasis in the city. Located between Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica, it’s also a rare walking neighborhood, with stairs connecting the canyon homes to the streets.
For more photos and details, check out the full listing.
Cities With the Best Work-Life Balance – 2021 Edition – SmartAsset
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For most people, working is inevitable: You need a job to afford your lifestyle. The trick, of course, is to find a balance where you can earn the money you need without spending all of your time in the workplace. Some of that depends on what the work culture is like in your city, how much you need to earn to pay for housing and how long you have to spend getting to work. To that end, SmartAsset analyzed 100 of the biggest cities in the country to find the best cities for work-life balance for 2021.
To do so, we considered data on the following metrics: walk score; arts, entertainment and recreation establishments as a percentage of all establishments; restaurants as a percentage of all establishments; housing costs as a percentage of income; average weeks worked per year; average hours worked per week; average commute time; percentage of workers with a commute longer than 60 minutes; October 2020 unemployment rate and labor force participation rate. For details on our data sources and how we put all the information together to create our final rankings, check out the Data and Methodology section below.
This is SmartAsset’s fourth study on the cities with the best work-life balance. Read the 2020 version here.
Key Findings
Big city commuting blues. On average in our study, just 7.2% of commuters spend more than 60 minutes getting to and from work. In the biggest U.S. cities, though, that number can be much higher. For instance, 15.7% of commuters have a commute of at least an hour in San Francisco. In Boston, that figure is 11.9%. The city where the most commuters spend at least an hour on the go? New York City, where relatively packed subways and busy streets mean 27.2% of commuters spend at least an hour on travel alone, leaving even less time for recreation. New York also has the longest 2019 average commute time, at 41.7 minutes.
Midwest consistency up top. Four Midwestern cities – Madison, Wisconsin; Lincoln, Nebraska; Omaha, Nebraska; and Columbus, Ohio – also made the top 10 in this study last year. Three of these cities – Madison, Lincoln and Omaha – excel because of their low unemployment rate, finishing in the top 10 this year. Columbus finishes a bit lower (20th) in that metric, but it does particularly well in terms of low housing costs as a percentage of income, ranking sixth.
1. Madison, WI
For the second year in a row, Madison, Wisconsin is the best city in America for work-life balance. Madison doesn’t lead in any categories, but it does finish in the top 10% of the study for six out of 10 metrics. This includes coming in second-lowest for average hours worked per week (36.4), third-lowest for October 2020 unemployment rate (3.9%) and sixth-highest for labor force participation rate (73.2%).
2. Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach, Virginia ranks in the top 10% of this study for two metrics: fourth-highest for restaurants as a percentage of all establishments (10.10%) and sixth-lowest for October 2020 unemployment rate (4.7%). The beach town also ranks in the top 20% of the study for two other metrics: 14th-best for labor force participation rate (71.9%) and 17th-best for arts, entertainment and recreation establishments as a percentage of all establishments (1.88%).
3. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis is the first Minnesota city to make this list, and it does so on the back of finishing in the top five for two different metrics: third for a strong labor force participation rate (74.9%) and fifth for a low October 2020 unemployment rate (4.5%). Minneapolis also places 12th-best in terms of housing costs as a percentage of income at 29.43%.
4. Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, Nebraska has the lowest October 2020 unemployment rate in the study, just 2.7%. Lincoln also finishes second for the best commute time, an average of just 18.4 minutes, and places sixth-lowest for the percentage of commuters with a commute of longer than 60 minutes, just 2.7%. Lincoln finishes near the bottom of the study, though, in terms of the average weeks worked per year, at 39.65.
5. Omaha, NE
Another Nebraska locale is next – Omaha. The unemployment rate there in October 2020 was 3.3%, the second-lowest in the study – giving the top two spots in that metric to Nebraskan cities. Omaha also places eighth-best in terms of average commute time. The average commuter in Omaha spends just 20.1 minutes in transit, a far cry from the traffic-packed streets of some bigger cities. Omaha residents do work much of the year, finishing in the bottom quartile with 38.47 weeks worked per year.
6. Arlington, VA
Arlington, Virginia is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and it has the highest labor force participation rate in this study, 78.0%. Arlington also ranks second-lowest in the study for housing costs as a percentage of income – housing costs make up just 26.14% of income on average. People do work a lot in the town, though. Arlington ranks dead last in both the metrics measuring how much people work – an average of 41.3 hours per week and 41.80 weeks per year.
7. St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, Minnesota joins its twin city, Minneapolis, on this list and ranks in the top 10% percent of this study for three different metrics:
Fourth for average hours worked per week (36.8).
Sixth for October 2020 unemployment rate (4.7%).
10th for arts, entertainment and recreation establishments as a percentage of all establishments (2.04%).
8. Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio comes in sixth for housing costs as a percentage of income, at 27.53%. That is the only metric for which Columbus places in the top 10, but it does finish 11th-best for labor force participation rate (72.4%) and 20th-best for October 2020 unemployment rate (5.4%). Columbus finishes in the bottom quartile of this study for the metric measuring how many weeks per year people work on average, at 38.16.
9. Durham, NC
In Durham, North Carolina, just 2.7% of workers have a commute of at least an hour, the sixth-lowest total for this metric in the study. The average commute in Durham is 22.6 minutes, the 25th-lowest time spent traveling to work that we observed overall. Durham is not a particularly walkable city, however, finishing in the bottom 10% of the study in terms of walk score.
10. Lexington-Fayette, KY
Lexington-Fayette is the final entry into our top 10, and it finishes in the top 15% for three metrics:
14th for arts, entertainment and recreation establishments as a percentage of all establishments (1.95%)
14th for average commute time (21 minutes)
15th for housing costs as a percentage of income (29.66%)
Lexington suffers when it comes to walkability, though, finishing in the bottom quartile of the study in terms of walk score.
Data and Methodology
To find the best cities for work-life balance, we compared 100 of the largest cities in America across the following metrics:
Walk score. Data comes from walkscore.com and is for 2020.
Concentration of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments. This is the number of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments as a percentage of all establishments. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2018 County Business Patterns Survey.
Concentration of restaurants. This is the number of restaurants as a percentage of all establishments. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2018 County Business Patterns Survey.
Housing costs as a percentage of income. This is the median housing costs as a percentage of income for full-time workers. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Average number of weeks worked per year. This is how many weeks per year local employees work. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Average number of hours worked per week. This is the average number of hours a worker works in a week. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Average commute time. This is the average number of minutes it takes for a worker to commute to work. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Percentage of workers with a commute longer than 60 minutes. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Unemployment rate. Data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is for October 2020.
Labor force participation rate. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
First, we ranked each city in each metric. We then found the average ranking for each city. Walk score, concentration of arts and entertainment establishments, concentration of restaurants, housing costs as a percentage of income and labor force participation rate received a full weight. Weeks worked per year, hours worked per week, average commute time and percentage of workers with a commute of more than an hour each received a half weight. Unemployment rate received a double weight. We then ranked the cities based on this average. The top city received an index score of 100 and the bottom city received an index score of 0.
Tips for Finding a Healthy Financial Balance
It’s easier to find balance if you can find support first. Once you have money, making sure it works for you can help you tip the scales of work-life balance in favor of life. A financial advisor can help with that. Finding the right financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in five minutes. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Budgeting is key. A budget can take care of your money decisions in advance and leave you with more time to actually enjoy life.
Save now if possible. When you retire, you’ll likely be hoping to really live life without worrying about work for the first time. Make sure you use a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k) if it is available to you, as that’s the best way to save for retirement and allow for travel and other leisure in your golden years.
Questions about our study? Contact press@smartasset.com.
Ben Geier, CEPF® Ben Geier is an experienced financial writer currently serving as a retirement and investing expert at SmartAsset. His work has appeared on Fortune, Mic.com and CNNMoney. Ben is a graduate of Northwestern University and a part-time student at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He is a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing and a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®). When he isn’t helping people understand their finances, Ben likes watching hockey, listening to music and experimenting in the kitchen. Originally from Alexandria, VA, he now lives in Brooklyn with his wife.
A Florida family has embarked on a wild ride to bring a 1970s time capsule in Indiana into the 21st century.
On a whim, they bought a vintage gem in Fort Wayne, IN, covered top to bottom in shag carpet, after seeing it online. It was our most popular home of the week in early December and garnered hundreds of thousands of views—the Jackson family among them.
How the time capsule was won
“So we weren’t actually looking for a home to buy,” says Alysha Jackson, who lives in Clermont, FL, with her husband, Nate, two toddlers, and a rescue dog, Ingrid.
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“We have a home there and we love it,” she says. “We had talked about getting into real estate one day, but it wasn’t really on our radar yet. Then this house went viral.”
Nate saw the house online and came in with his computer to show the listing to Alysha.
“He’s like, ‘Hey, don’t shut this down right away, but what if we put in an offer on this house?’” she says.
“Usually, I’m the skeptical one, but I just looked at it and had this gut feeling, and I said, ‘You know what? I actually love it. Let’s put in an offer.’”
Interior of home in Fort Wayne, IN
Dustin McKibben
Interior
Dustin McKibben
Bathroom
Dustin McKibben
Like everyone who laid eyes on the photos, Nate and Alysha first spotted the colorful carpet. The deep shag is hard to miss: It’s everywhere, even on some of the walls.
Alysha says her first reaction was: “Whoa, that’s a lot of shag carpet!” Then, she noticed how much potential the house had.
“I kind of envisioned what it could look like with some renovating,” she says. “We’re staying thing true to the vibe of it and the time period, but we have to update it.”
Aftermath of Christmas
Jackson family
Door
Dustin McKibben
Jackson family
Dustin McKibben
The Jacksons journey back in time
Just a few weeks after putting in their offer, the two former teachers, who now sell on Amazon, packed up their family minivan (including Christmas presents) and headed north. Their work offers them the freedom to work where they choose.
Since then, the family has been living bare-bones in the house, with just a few mattresses and other essential items. They have decided to live in the home as is for a while.
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Watch: Listing Agents Answer Our Burning Questions About the ‘Silence of the Lambs’ House
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“We wanted to just stay in it a little while before changing anything, because we just wanted to get a feel for the house before we just came in and made sweeping changes,” Alysha Jackson explains.
“I’m so glad we did, because we actually changed a lot of our designs based upon actually living in the home for a little bit first.”
Most importantly, they staged a 1970s-style photo shoot.
Interior
Dustin McKibben
Enjoying the view
Jackson family
Even Ingrid, the dog, seems to have settled in.
“She has a spot in the house where she can see the entire yard, thanks to the surrounding sliding doors and windows,” Jackson says.
“Ingrid was so sad when she saw us packing the van for our trip here, but literally jumped up and down when we got the leash out and she realized she was coming with us on the trip.”
Kitchen
Dustin McKibben
Kitchen
Dustin McKibben
Kitchen
Dustin McKibben
The former owner of the house, James Sherbondy, a retired architect, designed the home as his family’s personal residence. It was occupied until just a few months ago, so everything inside was in working order.
“We walked in, brought in our stuff, and used the fridge. The bathrooms were functional. It was pretty great,” Jackson says.
Everything in the kitchen works, and the cabinets are in good shape. However, the layout may not work for the family, she adds.
Lower level
Dustin McKibben
Lower level
Dustin McKibben
Lower-level bathroom
Dustin McKibben
Lower-level bathroom
Dustin McKibben
The family made some immediate changes for safety reasons and are currently living on the lower level. They’re tackling that and the main level first, and leaving the upstairs master bedroom and bathroom for last.
A bathroom with green counters and blue sink will ultimately meet its demise, but the Jack-and-Jill style entry is staying.
“The more we see, the more we want to keep, which is kind of funny,” Alysha says. “Before, we didn’t really know too much about ’70s style, and we didn’t know too much about midcentury modern even. But the more I talk with people and more research I do on my own, the more I see the beauty and the value in it, and so I want to keep that style in the home.”
Stairs
Dustin McKibben
Toddler-proof stairs
Dustin McKibben
The Jacksons have sought input from a number of experts on the Instagram account they started for their rehab project. They had hopes of reaching 10,000 followers by the summer. As of now, they’ve blown past their goal and have over 30,000 folks tracking the renovation journey.
“I just love sharing projects with people. When we did a ’70s photo shoot, we thought it would be really fun to share these. We had no idea it would go viral as quickly as it did,” Jackson says. “It’s been really fun to share what we’re doing with people, and we’ve gotten so much great input.”
Lower level
Dustin McKibben
Lower level
Dustin McKibben
The carpet can’t stay
Sadly, for lovers of colorful floor coverings, the carpet is one of the first things that’s going to go.
“There’s literally carpet in every single room, including the bathrooms. It’s everywhere and it’s 50 years old. From what we know, it is original to the home,” Jackson says.
She added that there are stains in several places, and it doesn’t smell particularly great, especially in the bathrooms.
Eventually, there will be new flooring in many of the rooms and tile in the bathrooms. But the carpet won’t vanish completely.
“I am going to be making an art piece of the different carpet colors,” she says. “There’s about four or five different colors in the home, and we just want to keep a piece of each. I’m going to cut some out from each color—deep-clean it, of course—and then create some sort of art piece with it to hang in the house on the wall.”
Master bathroom
Dustin McKibben
Master bathroom
Dustin McKibben
People on social media had a lot to say about the carpet-bedecked bathtub in the master bedroom. The tub has purple tile and no curtain. For now, it’s the only bathtub in the house, so the kids need to take their baths there.
Jackson says the tub is super clean, but the trick for the couple is to keep the children from enjoying their time on the floor.
“To them, it’s like a big towel,” she adds. The first time their son took a bath, she says, “He got out of the tub and started rolling on the shag carpet.”
Fireplace
Other modifications on the way
Back on the main level, the dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace will stay—but with some modifications for safety.
Wood paneling and accents
Dustin McKibben
Some of the wood paneling and carved accents throughout the house will also remain.
“I stare at the wood every day. I think that’s maybe my favorite part of the house,” Jackson says.
Some people on Instagram say the carved wood might be by an artist named Ackerman, and the Jacksons are trying to verify that.
“It’s the first thing you see when you walk in the home on the door,” Alysha says.
Work time
Jackson family
Life outside the box
The Jacksons rehabbed their Florida house, so a huge project isn’t entirely new for them and they have some family support nearby. Both Alysha and Nate are from Indiana, and much of their family still lives there. While some close to them were surprised by the somewhat impulsive purchase, they weren’t shocked.
“We kind of joke with people that Nate and I are ‘Go big or go home’ people. We kind of live life outside the box, so they were excited for us,” Jackson says.
Some relatives thought they were crazy, she adds, but changed their minds when they saw how beautiful the home is—and they’re especially excited that the family will be closer to them.
For now, the family plans to split time between the two homes and rent the other one as a vacation rental.
We’ll be tracking the process of this time capsule transformation and can’t wait to see what’s next.
Hours of Work Needed to Pay Rent in the 25 Largest Cities – 2021 Edition
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According to the Census Bureau, almost 20 million renters allocate at least 30% of their household income towards rent, indicating that they are housing cost-burdened. This can be especially true in larger cities where the cost of living is higher. And if time is money, then many Americans will have to resort to working longer hours to make ends meet without having to use up any existing emergency funds.
In this study, SmartAsset measured the hours of work needed to pay rent in the 25 largest cities in the U.S. To determine our estimates, we considered data on the following metrics: average annual take-home pay, average hours worked per year and median monthly rent. For details on our data sources and how we put all the information together to create our final rankings, check out the Data and Methodology section below.
This is SmartAsset’s fourth annual study on the hours of work needed to pay rent. Check out the 2020 version here.
Key Findings
56.6 hours.The average number of work hours needed to pay rent across the largest 25 U.S. cities is 56.6. In the six cities at the top of our list, renters must work at least 6% longer to pay rent alone. It takes more than 60 hours of work in all six cities to cover average rental costs.
California cities stay at the very top, but Los Angeles drops for the first time in recent years. In every version of this study since 2018, the three cities where the average worker needs to work the most to pay rent have been as follows: San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego, California – in that order. In this year’s study, however, San Diego jumps to the No. 2 spot and Los Angeles drops to No. 3.
1. San Jose, CA
In San Jose, California, it takes more than 76 hours of work on average to pay median monthly rent, which is $2,223 or almost $26,700 per year. The median worker earns $41,419 after taxes, with an estimated hourly wage of about $29.
2. San Diego, CA
The average annual take-home pay in San Diego, California is $34,157, or an hourly wage of less than $25. According to our estimates, the average worker in this city would need to work almost 74 hours to be able to pay a month’s rent, which is $1,806.
3. Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles, California, the average worker needs to clock almost 73 hours to cover median monthly rent, which is $1,554. The average number of hours worked in the city is about 38 hours per week, which means that it would take this person almost two weeks to cover that total amount of time. The average worker in Los Angeles earns $34,669 before taxes and takes home about $28,815 – or a little more than $21 per hour.
4. Boston, MA
In Boston, Massachusetts, the average worker earns $35,800 after taxes, or about $25 an hour. The median monthly rent in Boston is $1,735, which means residents there will have to work more than 69 hours to pay for a month’s rent. At an average of about 38 hours worked per week in Boston, it would take nearly 13 days for a worker to cover this amount.
5. New York, NY
New York City has the fifth-highest number of hours needed to pay rent across the 25 largest cities in this study. With a median monthly rent in the city of $1,483, a worker person would have to work 62.0 hours to cover rent. The average worker in New York earns $42,326 and takes home $32,608 after taxes, or $23.90 per hour.
6. San Francisco, CA
In San Francisco, California the median monthly rent is $1,959. This is the second-highest monthly rent amount across all 25 cities in our study, following only San Jose, California. The average worker in the city earns about $32 per hour, or $51,548 after taxes. This means that the worker would have to work 61.2 hours to cover rental costs. At an average of 40.2 hours worked per week in San Francisco, it would take this worker about a week and a half to do so.
7. Denver, CO
In order to cover the costs of the average rental apartment or home in Denver, Colorado, the average worker would need to work almost 60 hours. The median monthly rent in Denver is $1,433. The average worker in Denver earns $47,146 before taxes, with a take-home pay of $37,922 or $23.92 an hour.
8. Nashville, TN
The median monthly rent in Nashville, Tennessee is $1,191 or $14,292 per year. With the average worker there earning $31,889 after taxes or $20.77 per hour, it would take him or her approximately 57 hours of work to cover the cost of rent each month.
9. Austin, TX
The average worker in Austin, Texas earns $42,416 and takes home $35,739 or $23.34 per hour. Monthly rent costs in Austin reach $1,334 per month, or $16,008 per year. At that rate, it would take this worker more than 57 hours to cover rental costs.
10. Charlotte, NC
Median earnings for a worker in Charlotte, North Carolina are $38,528. This worker would take home $31,118 or $20.61 an hour. Charlotte has the lowest median monthly rent across the 10 cities on this list, at $1,174, resulting in a total annual rent of $14,088. To be able to pay for a month’s rent in Charlotte, the average worker would have to work 57 hours.
Data and Methodology
To find out how many hours of work are needed to pay rent in the 25 largest cities in the U.S., we looked at data on the following three metrics:
Average annual take-home pay. This is the average worker’s earnings after accounting for income taxes. To find out how much each worker would pay in income taxes, we ran median worker’s earnings data through our income tax calculator. We assumed the average worker would contribute nothing to an IRA or 401(k), take the standard deduction and file as a single filer. Earnings data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Average hours worked per year. This is the number of weeks worked per year multiplied by the number of hours worked per week. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Median monthly rent. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
First, we found the average hourly wage for each worker by dividing average annual take-home pay by average hours worked per year. Then we divided the monthly median monthly rent by the average hourly wage. This resulted in the average hours of work needed to pay a month’s rent. Finally, we ordered the cities from highest to lowest based on the average number of hours needed to pay rent.
Tips for Managing Your Savings
How much are you really taking home? When budgeting how much to allocate to needs, wants and savings, it’s important to know how much you’re actually starting with. Use SmartAsset’s paycheck calculator to find out your post-tax earnings.
Budgeting is key. If the cost of living in an area is high and moving is not an option, consider using our online budget tool to make sure your expenses are all covered.
401(k) matching. Taking advantage of a 401(k) employer match program is an ideal way to build your retirement savings faster. When considering a new job always review the retirement plan offerings to be sure that it’s the right one for your needs.
Expert financial advice. You already work hard to make ends meet, so why put in any more hours than you need to in order to get expert help with your assets? Finding the right financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in five minutes. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Questions about our study? Contact press@smartasset.com.
Nadia Ahmad, CEPF® Nadia Ahmad is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) and a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW). Her interest in taxes and grammar makes writing about personal finance a perfect fit! Nadia has spent ten years working as a seasonal income tax assistant, researching federal, state and local tax code and assisting in preparing tax returns. Nadia has a degree in English and American Literature from New York University and has served as an instructor/facilitator for a variety of writing workshops in the NYC area.
There are lots of reasons we’re looking to slam the door shut on 2020. But how about leaving your old house behind and toasting new beginnings in the new year?
We’ve found 11 great homes on the market right now that are brand-new—all ready for you to move in and make a fresh start.
The dwellings we’ve found might provide positive vibes as you embark on your 2021 journey. Besides their desirable locations, many offer such new-home perks as energy efficiency and smart home features.
Related Articles
And when a home has just been built, you’ll spend less time phoning the plumber or tackling a DIY project. That leaves you ample time to curl up with a book, whip up a feast with all those new appliances, or simply sip a drink on your new back porch.
We’re happy to raise a glass and toast to a new year, and to cheer on these 11 new homes. Pour yourself some bubbly, and let’s take a tour of some of these fresh builds.
Price: $879,000 Spiffy specs: This new, energy-efficient construction in the Piety Corner District was meticulously designed by a premier builder.
Features include soffit ceilings, crown moldings, nickel-gap accent walls, stained hardwood floors, built-ins, and a gas fireplace.
The layout features a chef’s kitchen with new appliances, a mudroom, and a master suite with a walk-in closet and en suite bath. The basement has a finished bonus room. A backyard offers a paver terrace and professional landscaping.
Waltham, MA
realtor.com
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Price: $589,900 Spiffy specs: This custom-built home has hardwood floors, three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 2,650 square feet of living space. Highlights include a kitchen with quartz counters, upgraded appliances, and dark wood cabinetry.
The open living area comes with a fireplace, and the windowed dining area features a modern chandelier. The outdoor space includes a covered rear deck and a lot of almost 1 acre.
Raleigh, NC
realtor.com
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Price: $457,881 Spiffy specs: You can’t get newer than this. This residence is scheduled to be completed in January. Located close to the Braves’ stadium and the Silver Comet Trail, the home abuts a green space.
Inside, the three-bedroom home includes hardwood stairs, a bedroom or home office with full bathroom on the first floor, and a kitchen with upgraded quartz counters, a large island, pendant lights, and microwave drawer.
A family room has a beautiful beamed ceiling, with plenty of windows. The owner’s suite includes two closets, as well as a bathroom with a double vanity and a walk-in shower. Outside, the back deck is perfect for grilling and relaxing outside with friends and family.
Atlanta, GA
realtor.com
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Price: $1,695,000 Spiffy specs:This modern home offers four bedrooms in a spacious, 4,350-square-foot interior. Luxe details include designer finishes, wood floors, and soaring ceilings.
The open-concept living area features a custom gas fireplace and views of the outdoors. The owner’s suite has a private entry to the backyard, and there are two more en suite guest bedrooms. A game room accesses the pool.
The large lot includes a private pool and spa, as well as over 1,000 square feet of covered outdoor space. Located in the gated community of Reunion Reserve, the tranquil Hill Country setting features green space and proximity to downtown Austin.
Austin, TX
realtor.com
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Price: $598,000 Spiffy specs:Get all the benefits of suburbia without leaving the city. This four-bedroom home comes with a luxurious master suite, walk-in tiled shower, upper-level laundry, and hardwood floors.
The living and dining area on the main floor features an open kitchen with island seating. You can also host visitors or an au pair in a guest suite in the fully finished basement.
Minneapolis, MN
realtor.com
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Price: $299,900 Spiffy specs: This home has not yet been built, but the idea is tempting. You can customize it to your exact tastes, adding square footage or a finished basement. The contemporary, designer home will include large windows, 10-foot ceilings, and abundant light.
Outside, the exterior design will feature a front porch and a two-car garage. Other perks include an Energy Star rating that qualifies for the city’s 15-year tax abatement.
In addition, the locale is close to Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Cleveland, OH
realtor.com
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Price: $639,500 Spiffy specs: Fall for this three-bedroom charmer in the heart of the Irish Channel neighborhood. Just completed, the interior features an open first-floor layout with exposed beam ceiling, antique pine wood flooring, cove crown molding, and a kitchen with quartz counters.
The adjacent family room looks out on the backyard. Details include deep covered porches, a security system, LED recessed lighting, and tall ceilings.
New Orleans, LA
realtor.com
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Price: $629,500 Spiffy specs:This custom-designed home with a tile roof fits right into its natural surroundings. The four-bedroom space features a fireplace, tall ceilings with wood beams, and plank wood-tile flooring.
Outside the living room, there’s a covered patio with fireplace. A glorious open kitchen features a granite island and bar seating.
An owner’s suite has a luxurious bathroom with a walk-in shower, tub, and walk-in closet. The study, complete with a fireplace, could be converted into another bedroom.
Santa Fe, NM
realtor.com
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Price: $520,000 Spiffy specs: This super-modern abode offers contemporary design packed into a two-bedroom floor plan. An open layout includes an airy living, dining, and kitchen space.
Other details include luxury vinyl plank floors, stainless appliances, and quartz counters. It’s also a green build, complete with parking wired for an electric vehicle.
Seattle, WA
realtor.com
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Price: $1,299,000 Spiffy specs: With 360-degree bay views from the private rooftop deck—and just a two-minute walk to the water—this sparkling three-bedroom home is a beach lover’s paradise. The modern, open-concept layout features a combined kitchen and living area, and a two-car garage with an electric car port.
San Diego, CA
realtor.com
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Price: $525,000 Spiffy specs: Live the dream in the wine country. This Northern California three-bedroom includes a spacious master suite.
The modern floor plan features a kitchen, breakfast bar, living room, and garage with interior access to the main floor. The 1,027-square-foot abode is close to shopping, dining, and transportation, and, of course, wineries.
